Luxury lifestyle incorporates homes, second homes, travel, food, wine and other luxury indulgences.
by Roberta Murphy Imagine a world uplugged! That future has quietly arrived with the first successful resonant transfer of wireless power over a span of seven feet and carrying enough power to brighten a 60W light bulb. This humble beginning leads ambitious minds to think of a luxurious home where cell phones, laptop computers, lamps, Roombas and even hair dryers would need no cords to operate. The Genius behind this…
by Roberta Murphy The Butler is back in demand-and in short supply. The worlds growing number of plutocrats with their enormous mansions and expansive lifestyles are actively seeking household managers to oversee the care of their luxury homes and lifestyles. These enormous residences require ongoing care, along with coordination of property and grounds service providers ranging from pool service technicians, to dog groomers and trainers, to maids, gardeners and arborists….
by Roberta Murphy The Argyle Steakhouse at the Aviara Four Seasons Resort in Carlsbad, CA has been a favorite with golfers, locals and visitors since it first opened in 1991. The views over Aviaras Arnold Palmer signature course and the beautiful Batiquitos Lagoon provide additional year round ambience to what is already a very wonderful restaurant. Until December, 2006 the Argyle served only breakfasts and lunches. It is now much…
by Roberta Murphy Nano technology to repair homes damaged by an earthquake? A home that heals itself? It boggles the mind, but Knauf, a German building manufacturer, is working with several universities on that very technology. They are building a luxury tech villa in the mountains of Greece with special walls containing nano polymer particles that liquefy when under pressure. This liquid then flows into the building cracks, where it hardens into solid material. (For those…
by: Roberta Murphy in the luxury of your own bed and awakening to blue skies and scattered clouds. Sounds like heaven to me. And it might be a reality for a luxury camper, or someone clever enough to commission magical artwork from a talented artist such as Rip Read. Sleeping under the stars is now a possibility because StarMurals Startist, Rip Read, has returned to Southern California from his sojourn…
by Roberta Murphy For some reason, crystal chandeliers are dirt magnets. They sparkle like nothing else when clean and look like clouded glass when soiled (which occurs all too soon after cleaning). Lets face it, crystal chandelier-cleaning is a drippy, arm-tiring and time-consuming chore, no matter who performs the task. How about just tossing your Swarovski or Strass crystal chandelier into the dishwasher? It appears this fantasy is now a…
by Roberta Murphy I have always justified my preference for fine bed linens by considering the percentage of ones life spent between them. And though I have never slept on D. Porthaults sheets, they remain on my list of wanna-trys. And who wouldnt want to luxuriate on fine, hand-finished sheets that start at around $1100 for a king set with two shams? Celebrities, royalty and business barons happily shell out…
by Roberta Murphy The Luxury Blog Directory (or L-List), started by the inimitable Paul Johnson, continues to grow and re-seed itself in separate locations. I have tried to pull the listings together once again. This time, to make sure all are included, it might be wise to make sure your luxury blog is included below and if its not, add it (as long as it is luxury-oriented). And if there…
by Roberta Murphy What if there were a wood treatment that not only disgusted termites, but repelled mold and fungus as well? This dream is now a reality at least for those fortunate custom home builders and remodelers who are able to demand their choice in wood. Though it makes for colorful framing (think Smurf blue), Bluwood has captured the interest of homeowners who wish to avoid the hazards of…
by Roberta Murphy This is a short-notice deal, and reservations must be made by March 24, 2007, but what a great opportunity to steal away to Puerto Vallarta for a weeklong tropical vacation. According to Forbes Traveler, this all-inclusive package runs $999 and includes both airfare (from a number of West and Midwest airports) as well as accommodations and meals at the four-and-a-half star beachfront Marival Resort and Suites. Ideal…
